Russia Overwhelm Saudi Arabia 5-0 in FIFA World Cup Opener

It was a dream start for Russia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The hosts began their campaign in emphatic fashion, registering a 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in a Group A game at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Thursday (June 14).

The Saudis, placed 67th in the FIFA rankings, three places above Russia, managed to hold the ball longer in the first half, while playing played some tight football in flashes. However, their influence in the match, other than the possession stats, was close to zero as the Saudis struggled to match the hosts for energy or attacking intent.

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Yury Gazinsky headed home the opener for the hosts in the 12th minute, sending the stadium roaring -- the cross that set up the tournament’s first goal coming from CSKA Moscow’s 22-year-old Aleksandr Golovin.

Denis Cheryshev doubled the lead just before half-time with a powerful left-footed shot/ Artem Dzyuba headed Russia’s third goal in the 71st minute -- a little over a minute after coming on as a substitute.

Cheryshev and Golovin scored in injury time to complete the big win and a rousing start for Russia in the tournament.

Egypt and Uruguay, the other two teams in Group A, will play in Yekaterinburg on Friday.

Colourful ceremony

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the World Cup open after a colourful opening ceremony at the 81,000-seater stadium which will also host the final match on July 15.

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"The love of football unites the world in one team, independent of language or ideology," the Russian president stated during his speech.

Putin said he hoped fans, players and officials enjoy their stay in Russia during the World Cup, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Football is truly loved here and it is called love at first sight, since our first official match here in 1897," Putin said.

"I hope fans and teams enjoy their stay in Russia, an open, hospitable and friendly country with people who have the shared values. Football brings us altogether in one team, we are united by this spectacular game," he added.

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FIFA chief Gianni Infantino also addressed the gathering. 

Artistic performances from UK singer Robbie Williams and Russian operatic soprano Aida Garifullina were the highlights of the opening ceremony.

Two-time FIFA World Cup champion Ronaldo of Brazil and Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic also attended.

Former Spain captain Iker Casillas brought the trophy inside the ground.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov were some of the political heavyweights at the event.

(With inputs from IANS)